Leslie Massey
Australia has some of the world's strictest COVID-19 border control measures, including mandatory 14-day quarantines for incoming passengers. The quarantine is at the passenger's expense and can cost upwards of $2000 for the first adult. In 2021, the country began easing border restrictions for vaccinated travellers from certain countries, including Singapore and New Zealand. As of November 2021, vaccinated Singaporeans and New Zealanders can fly to Australia without quarantining in either country. However, other sources indicate that fully vaccinated travellers entering certain Australian states, such as Tasmania and the ACT, may still need to undergo COVID-19 testing and quarantine until a negative test result is received. Additionally, there have been reports of inconsistencies and loopholes in Australia's quarantine system, which has caused frustration and stress for travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | As of November 21, 2021, vaccinated Singaporeans can fly to Australia without quarantining. |
| Location | Quarantine rules vary by state. For example, Tasmania does not require pre-departure COVID-19 testing, but the ACT does. |
| Vaccination Status | Unvaccinated travellers must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Australia. |
| Age | Children under 12 are exempt from vaccination rules and do not need to quarantine if their parents are fully vaccinated. |
| Citizenship | Only Australian citizens and permanent residents can leave Australia without being vaccinated. |
| Visa Status | Temporary visa holders can leave Australia but may have to follow the same rules as Australian citizens upon return. |
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What You'll Learn
Quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers to Australia
New South Wales (NSW)
From November 1, 2021, NSW ended its hotel quarantine system. Fully vaccinated travellers were allowed to enter NSW without quarantine. However, children aged 12 to 17 who were not fully vaccinated were required to undergo a test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine at home for 7 days. A second test was required on day 5 before completing quarantine. Unvaccinated children under 12 were exempt from quarantine but needed to take a PCR test.
Victoria
Victoria also allowed fully vaccinated travellers to enter without quarantine. Similar to NSW, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adolescents aged 12 to 17 were subject to testing and 7-day home quarantine. Children under 12 were exempt from quarantine but needed to undergo PCR testing.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT required all fully vaccinated arrivals to undergo mandatory rapid antigen testing (RAT) for COVID-19 within 24 hours of arrival. PCR tests were accepted if RAT was not available. Vaccinated travellers had to quarantine until they received a negative test result.
Tasmania
Tasmania had similar rules to NSW and Victoria, allowing fully vaccinated travellers to enter without quarantine.
Western Australia (WA)
WA continued to operate under its own rules and maintained a hotel quarantine system. However, residents who flew into WA via another state were treated as domestic travellers and could quarantine at home instead of a hotel.
It is worth noting that these requirements were in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and are subject to change. Additionally, there may be other entry requirements, such as providing proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result before departure. It is always recommended to check the latest official information before travelling to Australia.
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Exemptions for unvaccinated travellers to Australia
Who can be exempt?
The Australian Department of Home Affairs outlines that individual exemptions can be requested by travellers who are unvaccinated and holding any visa type. Exemptions may be considered for foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority to assist in the COVID-19 response.
Students
Students enrolled in an Australian educational institution pursuing a higher degree in research, such as a Master's or PhD, with evidence of a current research grant from a Commonwealth agency, may be eligible for exemption. Additionally, students in Year 11 and 12 with endorsement from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) and support from relevant state or territory government health and education authorities may be exempt. Students in the final two years of study in a dental, nursing, or allied health profession university degree with a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice that begins within the next two months may also be exempt.
Other exemptions
Unvaccinated travellers with a medical contraindication to a COVID-19 vaccine may be eligible for exemption. These travellers must provide proof of their medical exemption to airline staff and may be required to quarantine upon arrival in Australia.
All travellers to Australia must complete the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) before departure, including providing their contact and passport details, travel history, vaccination status, and COVID-19 test results. Travellers are also required to declare their awareness of quarantine and testing requirements. Masks are mandatory on public transport and in crowded areas where physical distancing is challenging to maintain.
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Quarantine requirements for children travelling to Australia
Quarantine requirements for travellers arriving in Australia have changed over time and vary across states. As of December 2021, certain travellers could visit without quarantining, provided they met specific testing, vaccination, and travel requirements. Children under 18 may not need to be fully vaccinated if travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians. Children under 12 may not need to show a negative PCR test result upon arrival. However, children between 12 and 17 who are not fully vaccinated may have to undergo reduced quarantine times if travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
In New South Wales (NSW), unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Australian children aged 12 to 17 entering through NSW are eligible for reduced quarantine requirements. If travelling with unvaccinated adults, the entire family group will be subject to managed quarantine and passenger caps. Children aged 12 to 17 must have a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result. A second PCR test is required on day 6, and an additional test on day 12 is recommended. Children in this age group can attend school after receiving a negative result from their test taken within 24 hours of arrival.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) requires fully vaccinated arrivals to undergo rapid antigen testing (RAT) within 24 hours of arrival, or a PCR test if RAT is unavailable. They must travel directly to their ACT residence or suitable accommodation and quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
Western Australia (WA) has continued to operate under its own rules. Residents flying into WA via another state are treated as domestic travellers and can quarantine at home for 14 days instead of paying for a hotel.
It is important to note that quarantine requirements are set at the state level in Australia, and travellers should always check the latest government advice for their specific destination within Australia.
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Quarantine costs in Australia
Quarantine requirements for people flying to Australia depend on several factors, including the state of arrival, vaccination status, and country of departure. As of November 2021, vaccinated Singaporeans can fly to New South Wales and Victoria without having to quarantine in either Australia or Singapore.
For other travellers, quarantine requirements and associated costs can vary. In the past, some travellers have been charged $3000 for a 14-day hotel quarantine stay in Sydney. Queensland previously introduced a user-pays scheme with a package deal of $135 per room, charging $65 per person per day for meals. This resulted in costs of $2800 for a solo traveller, $3710 for a couple, $4165 for two adults with one child, and $4620 for a family of four.
Travellers entering Tasmania who are fully vaccinated or have an exemption do not need to register their details or undergo pre-departure COVID-19 testing. However, those entering the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) must undergo mandatory rapid antigen testing within 24 hours of arrival, or a PCR test if RAT is unavailable, and quarantine until receiving a negative result.
Bringing pets to Australia also incurs quarantine costs. The average quarantine cost for one dog is $1395, assuming a minimum 30-day quarantine period. A second dog sharing the same accommodation would cost approximately $1120. Similarly, the average cost for one cat is $1000, with a second cat in the same accommodation costing about $820. These costs are subject to change and may include additional charges for veterinary actions, customs clearance, and necessary treatments.
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Quarantine facilities in Australia
Australia has implemented various quarantine measures for incoming travellers during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of November 2021, vaccinated Singaporeans were allowed to travel to parts of Australia, including New South Wales and Victoria, without the need for quarantine in either country. This development was expected to boost the aviation industry and air travel sector, with similar border restrictions easing anticipated in the future.
However, quarantine requirements in Australia have been a source of frustration for returning Australian travellers, who have faced challenges due to limited flight availability and quarantine capacity constraints. This situation has resulted in a bottleneck of stranded Australians vying for limited flights. While some have advocated for increased quarantine capacity, others have criticised the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for purpose-built quarantine facilities to prevent virus leaks from hotel quarantine facilities.
As of January 2022, quarantine requirements for travellers to Australia continue to evolve. For example, fully vaccinated travellers to Tasmania or those with an exemption are exempt from registering their details or undergoing pre-departure COVID-19 testing. In contrast, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) mandates rapid antigen testing (RAT) or PCR testing within 24 hours of arrival, with quarantine required until a negative test result is obtained.
Western Australia (WA) has maintained its own rules for quarantine, introducing a revamped G2G Pass for entering the state. Additionally, residents entering WA through another state are considered domestic travellers, allowing them to quarantine at home instead of a hotel. This loophole was intentionally designed by the government to reduce the strain and financial burden of hotel quarantine.
While human quarantine measures have been a recent focus, Australia also has post-entry quarantine facilities for cats and dogs, such as the Mickleham Quarantine Facility in Melbourne. These facilities provide a safe and secure environment for pets, with a minimum quarantine period of ten days.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your vaccination status and where you are flying from. As of November 21, 2021, vaccinated Singaporeans can fly to New South Wales in Australia and back without quarantining in either country. However, if you are unvaccinated and returning to Australia, you will have to quarantine for 2 weeks. Children under 12 are exempt from vaccination rules and do not need to quarantine if their parents are fully vaccinated, but they will need to take a PCR test.
Tasmania does not require fully vaccinated travellers or those with an exemption to register their details or undertake pre-departure COVID-19 testing prior to arrival. In the ACT, fully vaccinated arrivals must undergo mandatory rapid antigen testing within 24 hours of arrival in Australia. PCR tests may be used if a rapid antigen test is not available.
Quarantine is at the incoming passenger's expense. Quarantine costs US$2150 for the first adult. A second adult costs an additional $700, and there are further charges for children.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you must be vaccinated to leave the country.
Kids aged between 12 and 17 who aren't vaccinated will be required to undertake a test within 24 hours of arrival into Australia and quarantine at home for 7 days. A second test will be required on day 5. They may attend school after completing 7 days of home quarantine.
